Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Cambridge Day Trip

Search

Cambridge Day Trip

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 31st, 2011 | 09:06 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
Cambridge Day Trip

On April 28 my husband and I want to take a day trip from London to Cambridge. I don't see any organized coach tours from London, so how does this plan sound (we are age 60+ and really want to have a guide, not self guided):

Early morning train from London to Cambridge
Book the hop on hop off bus tour, picking up at the train station, combined with
Scudmore's River Cam punting tour.
Then pick up a 2 hour walking tour from the Tourist Info Centre
Visit Fitzwilliam Museum
Evensong in Kings College Chapel
Pub dinner, train return to London
LeslieC is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2011 | 09:08 AM
  #2  
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
It sounds really swell - well done. Look for discount train fares at www.nationalrail.co.uk though on this short hop there may or may not be significant savings.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Dec 31st, 2011 | 02:59 PM
  #3  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,611
Likes: 0
We did a day trip from London to Cambridge and a walking tour through the TIC and enjoyed it very much.
carolyn is online now  
Old Dec 31st, 2011 | 03:58 PM
  #4  
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Sound like a great day trip itinerary - you'll really enjoy the punting and Evensong.

For your pub dinner, I can suggest The Eagle (busy, but worth a visit for the historical aspect) or The Mill(old pub with cider and ales and cheap pub food). Both are a short walk from Kings College so you can head there right after Evensong. Otherwise if you want to head back over towards the train station and have a pub meal there, try The Salibury Arms (good old pub with Ales and decent pub food, 5mins from the station), The Earl of Derby (renovated but still good pub with good food) or even The Flying Pig (great proper pub, good beers and food).
madamtrashheap is offline  
Old Jan 2nd, 2012 | 10:02 PM
  #5  
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
I'm no expert on Cambridge, but I'd seek properly informed advice before buying a HOHO tour.

Neither Oxford nor Cambridge really need a bus to get about: in both cities most of the best views are from places buses just can't get to. I can't find a map of the Cambridge tour - but its route description sounds like a list of its dullest streets.

Unless you've got mobility problems (or a particular wish to see something in the suburbs), the city was designed to be walked around, and in that respect hasn't changed in the past 800 years. I'd start with the walking tour, then use the time I'd saved going back to look at things I'd have liked to see more of.
flanneruk is offline  
Old Jan 3rd, 2012 | 02:49 AM
  #6  
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
I caught the train out to Cambridge and did the HOHO bus tour and recommend it. One of the stops is the American Cemetery and Memorial to WWII airmen. Ditto the recommendation for the Eagle and the RAF pub off the courtyard.
spaarne is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
coachdj5
Europe
14
Feb 4th, 2013 07:08 PM
carmonli
Europe
11
Jul 10th, 2011 04:31 AM
JulieAgain
Europe
25
Oct 27th, 2009 06:31 AM
dtwalley
Europe
11
Sep 4th, 2009 07:00 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -